Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Blue Flag, Vol. 4” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Blue Flag, Vol. 4

(青のフラッグ #4)

Kaito

4.46 · Rating details · 820 ratings · 92 reviews

An unexpected love quadrangle with a dash of unrequited love as two classmates, a boy and a girl, begin to fall for each other when each of their best friends have already fallen for them.

It’s the last year of high school, and love is in the air. Romantic feelings that have been building up over years of friendship come to light. When Taichi’s classmate Futaba asks him to ...more

Get A Copy

Paperback, 208 pages

Published October 20th 2020 by VIZ Media LLC (first published May 2nd 2018)

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Blue Flag, Vol. 4, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 4.46 ·

Rating details

· 820 ratings · 92 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Blue Flag, Vol. 4

Jan 11, 2020 Flora⁷ ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: manga-read

the gay panic in this series is real

flag 17 likes · Like · see review

Apr 30, 2020 Carol Flores rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: manga

"I want to live with freedom. I want to be able to say I love what I love. Be happy when I'm happy and sad when I'm sad. Not be told what to do. To not hurt anyone or be hurt by anyone."

When I was in high-school I often wondered what I would do with my life. I didn’t know what I was good at career-wise but I was only sure of one thing: I didn’t want to waste my life hating my job and paying bills. What I wanted was simple: I wanted to be happy. Problem was, I didn’t know how to achieve that. "I want to live with freedom. I want to be able to say I love what I love. Be happy when I'm happy and sad when I'm sad. Not be told what to do. To not hurt anyone or be hurt by anyone."

When I was in high-school I often wondered what I would do with my life. I didn’t know what I was good at career-wise but I was only sure of one thing: I didn’t want to waste my life hating my job and paying bills. What I wanted was simple: I wanted to be happy. Problem was, I didn’t know how to achieve that. I didn’t know what it meant to be truly happy because I’ve always been the kid who questions everything and who over-thinks quite often.

Still, I had to make a choice and after all these years, I’ve learned that life has a funny way of showing you that even if you make big plans, you probably won’t succeed at the first try. Hell, you may even change your dreams once or twice because as we grow older, so do our priorities. Truth is, you’re gonna go through bumps and rough roads, and you’ll have to get stronger if you want to stay alive. You’ll get hurt and beaten down again and again. Perhaps, you’ll end up losing yourself too.

But you know what? We might feel like broken humans, like we’ll never be whole again, and that’s OK. There’s no one tougher as you, after you survive everything you thought it could kill you. There’s no one that knows your struggle but you, and so, what can you do?

Learning to love yourself, to be kind to yourself is a slow process, but once you’re there, nobody can mess with your power. Nobody can take that away from you.

And so, slowly but surely, you start seeing things and looking after people who share the same vibe as you. Their love and support might come off as simple, but oh, how wrong we are. Love, as cheesy as it sounds, is the only thing that keep us alive. Whether that is towards a lover, a friend or a relative, even to yourself, it is the feeling we crave and what we ultimately need to feel alive.

This volume really hit me close home and I’m so glad it reminded me the important things in life: love towards my friends, my dreams and goals but most importantly, that we are not alone. That we are not a sad, broken toy whose dreams got in the trash can. That we are humans, and we can always get better. We can always be better.

PREVIOUS REVIEWS:
Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Volume 3
...more

flag 11 likes · Like · see review

Dec 30, 2019 Vanessa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: graphic-novels-comics-manga, 5-stars

this one's my favorite so far.......and yes, we have reached the 5 star territory. i didn't even notice how this story started meaning so much to me but......it does

i love how all the characters have massive self esteem issues but they clearly think the world of each other, and there are so many beautiful scenes of emotional support......the power of friendship......all of this is just so good for the heart. also the way it goes into different types of love (and takes them all equally seriously! ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Apr 13, 2020 Aleksandra rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: manga

Another excellent volume.
I appreciate the conversation Taichi and Touma had, Touma's desire to move out and be free is relatable for many closeted queer kids. The conversation between Kuze and Touma was important as well. The message to be kind to yourself and that your best friend is yourself is nothing new but it's important nevertheless. Especially for teen audience.
Besides all the important touching conversation, this volume has been plenty fun. I love my four kids. ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 15, 2020 Rebecca rated it really liked it

Shelves: manga, lbgtq

I have never read a story with a romance plot that has made me more conflicted about the outcome. I don't love Taichi and Futaba as a couple, and I'm not sold on the idea that they actually like each other romantically, but even if Toma moves on his feelings, there's no guarantee that Taichi will reciprocate them, although in all honesty I don't think he's ever thought much beyond what's billed as "normal."

On that note, the conversation Toma has with Masami at the end of the book is heartbreakin ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 10, 2021 Stefani Putria rated it really liked it

"I want to live with freedom. I want to be able to say I love what I love. Be happy when I'm happy and sad when I'm sad. Not be told what to do. To not hurt anyone or be hurt by anyone."

Reading till vol. 4 finally I figured out what the story really. This volume full of roller coaster feeling, The ending in last panel really painful and hurt, tbh. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 22, 2020 Evelyn Swift (Featherbrained Books) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, manga, romance, lgbt

My heart! When Tai-chan asks Toma why he doesn't want to go to college and what he wants to do with his life and he replies that it's all meaningless and:

"It's just...I want to be free. Free to say that I like what I like...whenever I want, to whoever I want. I want to get to be happy when I'm happy, and sad when I'm sad....without anybody telling me I'm wrong or weird. Without hurting anyone...or being hurt."

[image error]

Oh Toma 3 ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 16, 2020 Shae rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I don't think this series can do anything wrong in my eyes.

I really loved the growth of all of these characters. I tend to always really love festival volumes as well. I think it's all of the Yukata drawings! But there are a lot of things happening. Taichi and Towa are beginning to better understand each other. Futaba begins to truly understand her feelings, and we see her express them at the end of this volume.

I really need vol 5 already! I can't even with this series! GO READ IT! ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 17, 2019 Augusta Whittemore rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A very rare, consistent 5-star read for me; I've been reading on the Viz app, and I really hope this warrants a physical release in English one day because JUST TAKE MY MONEY. This story is so genuine, and heartfelt. A better review will be coming, but once again...I need to go sit in the corner (& wait for the next chapter to come out.) ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 24, 2020 eri b.❀ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lgbtq, stars-5, graphic-novel, read-2020

"But why do I have to be afraid of people seeing me for who I am?"

I'm dying inside this volume was so cute but also SO IMPORTANT AND SO TOUCHING the interactions between Touma and Masumi are everything to me, and the one in this volume was especially important and aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh I love everything :( ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 20, 2020 Gabby rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-lit-fic

This is my favourite so far!

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 21, 2020 Tania rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: manga

I like Mami, she's so cool
En español: https://theblackcatbook.wordpress.com... ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 27, 2020 Franzi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: manga, broke-my-heart, brutal-cliffhanger, rep-lgbt, read-2020

I wanna CRY

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 27, 2020 Mark Evans rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Toma’s out of the hospital, but his future plans are a big question mark to everybody. Between Taichi’s meddling on behalf of Toma’s brother and a heartfelt conversation with Futaba, Toma has a lot to think about. But life is what happens when you’re considering making other plans and a path not taken during a fireworks festival may end up costing Toma more than he even realizes.

Phew, this series. I like this series a lot, but it’s not the easiest read ever. It’s partially a combination of the w Toma’s out of the hospital, but his future plans are a big question mark to everybody. Between Taichi’s meddling on behalf of Toma’s brother and a heartfelt conversation with Futaba, Toma has a lot to think about. But life is what happens when you’re considering making other plans and a path not taken during a fireworks festival may end up costing Toma more than he even realizes.

Phew, this series. I like this series a lot, but it’s not the easiest read ever. It’s partially a combination of the writing being quite good and the fact that every single main character is currently in various states of being utterly miserable.

Toma is twisting in the wind now that baseball is done with and he... really seems at a loss. It would be easy to call it aimless, but it feels a lot more like he’s chafing under his brother’s rules and wants to just be free, which he says out loud while still burying the quiet part.

Masumi seems to have just given up and while she certainly loves hanging around Futaba, it’s become pretty clear that she’s got a sharp tongue for other people’s problems and no gumption to deal with her own.

Taichi is just generally down on himself - much as I want to punch Toma’s brother, it was interesting to see what Taichi wanted to do with his life and it really made a lot of sense when I reflected on earlier chapters. He remains his own worst enemy.

Futaba’s got practically no self-confidence and her follow through is barely existent. She gets quite the moment at the end, but even that’s because she doesn’t realize what she’s saying (but the other person sure does). The one glimpse we get of her home life does explain a LOT though.

And these four are constantly bumping off one another and interacting and half the time being good friends and half the time struggling to put up with all the undercurrents. As I say, it’s good writing, but even the jokes don’t often elevate the mood. If I was ever reading something that I felt didn’t come with a guaranteed happy ending, it’s this.

I want to give a huge shout out to the art, which is great. A friend pointed out that beyond the SD moments, characters are constantly drawn in different states of maturity, depending on what they’re saying or who’s looking at them. It’s subtle but you can’t help but notice it once you know it’s there and the effect is really good.

On the downside, I feel like this book’s gone far, far afield of how it was handling its original premise or it might just be taking its sweet time addressing it OR I might just feel that it isn’t quite handling it in a way I love. Masumi also needs more to do still - she gets some good moments, but she seems to function more as a sounding board than a character sometimes.

4 stars. It’s certainly a very interesting coming of age story, but I don’t know that I would necessarily call it a feel good read by any stretch. I definitely praise the characterization, these people mostly all feel real (not you, Mami, you suck), but that sure doesn’t make it any easier watching them go through these growing pains. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Sep 25, 2020 Julie rated it really liked it

Shelves: lgbtqia, read-graphic-novels-manga, manhwa-manga-graphic-novels, owned-manga

Taichi's a virgo!!! Lol everyone was making ugly faces this volume, but I really do love how expressive their faces are. There's so many panels just focused on their reactions and faces and it's so beautiful even the chibi ones.

God, poor Toma. I feel for him so much. I want to know more about him and Masumi. I like when they get the chance to talk about themselves and their troubles. I just don't want them to get hurt!!!!!! ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 03, 2021 JT rated it it was amazing

This volume! What an emotional reading experience this volume was!

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Dec 04, 2019 Mady rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-favorites, manga, books-i-own, read-more-than-once, my-opinion

I know I could say this about every volume but this one is the best one out of all of them. Thoma's and Futuba's conversation was the most relatable and beautiful thing ever ♡
And I also loved Thoma's conversation with Masumi. They can talk so honestly to each other. And the discussions that already started in the last volume on what love is and what different kinds of love someone can feel was incredibly well done. This was overall perfect as always. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 20, 2019 Megs rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: j-adore, manga, contemporary, romance, drama, shounen

This manga just gets gayer and gayer with each volume and I fucking dig it.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 25, 2019 sleeplesspages rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: manga

It's getting better and better ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 28, 2020 Online Eccentric Librarian rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, arc, manga

More reviews at the Online Eccentric Librarian http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

At only 8 volumes total, the series hits some important points in this fourth volume. I am fortunate enough to have read the entire series and rereading these official Viz releases has been extremely rewarding. It is definitely my favorite in a very long time and one I highly recommend for its nuance, expert storytelling, and compelling artistry.

Story: Toma is recovering from his broken leg but fighting with his older ...more

flag Like · see review

Dec 25, 2020 MangaEnchanted rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

(5 Stars)

Ahh Toma be pulling at my heartstrings in this volume. I really do feel for the poor lad. He really seemed at such a loss of what to do with himself in this instalment. Not only is he trying to navigate his feelings, but also navigate his path in life too. I liked seeing more of his perspective on what his future means for him.

Something that did annoy me a bit was how pushy Seiya was in regards to Toma deciding on whether on not to go to college, like I can understand that it comes fro ...more

flag Like · see review

Oct 16, 2020 Evelyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned-manga, finished-manga-series

Before we get into the drama, I have to say this. I love Seiya. He's that weirdly perfect blend of mature protectiveness and childish asshole-ry; aka, the big brother. A+

Now back to the regularly scheduled program.

School... is tough. You're cramming knowledge into your brain so fast, you end up losing half of it by the time you graduate; all the while struggling with the chaos that is the popularity vortex. And then you have to worry about what to do after you graduate. College? Workforce? Milit ...more

flag Like · see review

Aug 18, 2020 Emily rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-releases, collection-comic-manga-gn, collection-ya-fiction, genre-contemporary-realistic, rep-lgbtqiap-plus, rep-poc, rep-asian-pacisland, rep-mlm, rep-wlw, access-netgalley

Vol. 1 ★★★★☆
Vol. 2 ★★★☆☆
Vol. 3 ★★★★☆
Vol. 4 ★★★★★

AAAAAHHHHHHHH! I love them all so much I can't handle this angsty quadrangle shit!!

Honestly, this is one of the better-written mangas I've read. Or maybe the translation is just really excellent. The characters feel so real, and mostly talk like real people, and nothing feels over-the-top or unrealistic. Toma is my faaaaavorite, I love him! However, I do wish we got to know Masumi a bit more.

Also apparently Taichi and I share a birthday! <3

Thank yo ...more

flag Like · see review

Apr 09, 2020 Paola rated it really liked it

Shelves: comic-book-manga, wishlist, 2020-reading-challenge, young-adult-lgbt

4.5 stars 🎆 My heart... Ohmy~

Do you know who your closest friend is?
It's yourself. Your absolute greatest ally... is yourself, you know? The only person who knows everything you've done... and everything that's gone through your mind... is yourself, right? Your strengths and flaws... The ugly side that you don't let anyone else see... Your excuses and your deepest secrets... She knows all of those, and yet she'll never ever betray you.

Since she'll never leave you... Can't you at least be gentle

...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 29, 2021 Tuna rated it it was amazing

Volume 4 was one of the volumes that had me clenching the book and screaming at the characters wishing for them to finally say what they wanted to say. Toma sitting there literally on the verge of telling Taichi how he feelings about him and not saying anything had me happy and frustrated, like, please, just tell him already. If only.

The scene in Toma’s room was amazing and I loved every moment of it from the silly fall to the wrong impression about who Toma had an crush on to the board game and ...more

flag Like · see review

Jul 29, 2020 Cookie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: bd-manga-comics, lgbt

Another very good volume that rings very true to life.

We continue to explore self-esteem, self-hatred, jealousy but we also delve more into dreams and what to do with our lives and with our selves. Really felt Toma this volume : everything he said about wanting to be free and wanting to live as he is... Really felt that.

One minor negative point here is the dialogue during "deep", meaningful scenes : I don't know if it's the French translation or the original dialogue itself but sometimes it fee ...more

flag Like · see review

Oct 11, 2020 Sara rated it really liked it

Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.

Toma is out of the hospital, but his older brother blackmails Tai-chan into figuring out Toma’s reasoning behind skipping college and going straight into the workforce. With Tai-Chan’s birthday coming up, Futaba and Toma shop together to find a great present. During their time together, Futaba admits that she has wanted to be like Toma - strong, athletic, admired - and Toma admits he’d rather be more like Futaba. The four attend a firewor ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 07, 2020 Snail rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

flag Like · see review

Nov 24, 2020 Jami rated it liked it · review of another edition

More interesting than vol 3

This one had a lot more going on than the previous volume. More character development and misunderstandings starting to get cleared up. Not a whole lot of Taichi development and rarely saw Masumi. More or less was a Toma focused volume with him finding answers he didn't realize was there. So if Toma is your favorite character, you'll enjoy this volume most. Personally, I liked the first volume for the ambitious plot that made me second guess myself a lot. Kinda of a le ...more

flag Like · see review

Oct 08, 2020 mydarlingreadsbooks rated it liked it

Shelves: gn-manga-manhwa-webcomic

“I want to be able to say I love what I love. To not hurt anyone or be hurt by anyone.” Can TOMA absolutely stop destroying me and my feelings. The panels of his facial expressions and him looking at TAICHI fucking HURT ME.
Futaba is fucking dumb I’m just so embarrassed for her.
The friendship between Toma and Futaba is so pure and they’re really alike but just show it in different ways.
Does anyone know what just happened in chapter 26
Futaba was saying stuff and I’m just like GET TO THE POINT.
A ...more

flag Like · see review

« previous 1 2 next »